Inspired by a Quilt

My current knitting project was inspired by a quilt Mom is making. While Mom chose Dad's old blue, tan, pink, etc. dress shirts and off-white muslin for her quilt's color palette, I stuck with a soft and cozy grey. What is it and who is it for? I can't tell you yet... but it is a surprise for someone!

J.

J. the orchid brightly bloometh.

"Some children see him lily white,

The baby Jesus born this night.

Some children see him lily white,

With tresses soft and fair.

"Some children see him bronzed and brown,

The Lord of heav'n to Earth come down.

Some children see him bronzed and brown,

With dark and heavy hair.

"Some children see him almond-eyed,

This savior whom we kneel beside.

Some children see him almond-eyed,

With skin of yellow hue.

"Some children see Him dark as they,

sweet Mary's Son to whom we pray.

Some children see him dark as they,

and, ah! they love Him, too!

"The children in each different place

will see the baby Jesus' face

like theirs, but bright with heavenly grace,

and filled with holy light.

O lay aside each earthly thing
And with thy heart as offering,
Come worship now the infant king.
'Tis love that's born tonight!"

Alfred Burt, 1951

Birthday Time

I have always loved having a December birthday. Snow, special decorating (Christmas tree!) and cozy winter evenings do make me happy. Best of all I get to share my birthday month with several people I love - most of all Jesus. (Okay, so Jesus was likely born at a different time of year, but tradition is tradition... and I like it!)

 Sweet and Sour meatballs! The leftovers will come out of the freezer for Christmas Eve.

 Joey's creative gift wrap

Another birthday with my family was the best gift of all. Our semi-yearly Mexican Train marathon has begun!



Dad and Orchid

Joey got a great shot while she was here of our serious photographer.

Looking Back: Joey's Birthday

Looking Back: Parade of Lights

My family and I have tried the Black Friday thing only once in my memory. Avid shoppers we are not. Instead we like a quiet day at home and an evening taking in the nearby horse drawn parade of lights. A cold but oh-so-festive evening!

Thanksgiving

Seven made up our Thanksgiving table this year, thanks to the addition of Joey, our fake big sister. Joey and a few other fake siblings round out our family very nicely, I think!

The afternoon and evening were spent at my uncle's home with twenty-some relatives. A small group for us, really. We are blessed with family - real and otherwise.

 "Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; our God is merciful. The Lord preserves the simple; when I was brought low He saved me. Return, O my soul, to your rest; for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you... I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the Lord."

Psalm 116:5-7, 17

One Month Ago...

It is hard to believe that our world looked like this about one month ago!

P.S. To our delight Dad's cold frame produced a few meals of late season lettuce. Home-grown salad on a wintery day? We didn't complain!

Me and My Dog

"When the snow begins to melt..."

"...make a snowman."

In case you're wondering at the sentiment of this proverb, let me enlighten you with a translation: "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade."

Snow-creatures by Hannah

Snowman proverb by, well now... I wonder?

Summer on a Snowy Day

Yarn in the Mail

The long awaited package has come, and the colors are more lovely than I even hoped! It was worth the wait.

Snow

Yesterday's light faded on a snowing sky. This morning's light illumined a white world. Welcome, snow!

Mom's Birthday

One week ago was Mom's birthday. The six of us had a little party with Mom over noon (such as it was). The real party came in the evening!

 Grandpa and Grandma swelled our numbers to eight.

 The candles were lit, birthday song sung and flames blown out. Time for cake!

The evening ended with a duet from the past. Mom and her sister used to entertain their family with these tunes, but this time Hannah took the bass. Happy Birthday, Mom!

Waiting Room Redemption

Maren and I acted in a comedy yesterday. There were no cameras or audience. Only our own tickled funny bones saw the act.

A trip to town that was meant to give me a break from the world of treatment and sickness turned into quality time in three medical waiting rooms. 'I know there was a waiting room in the agenda, but three? And for two simple, everyday procedures?' At least we could've been asking these questions. Instead we had a good laugh... once we were in the car where no one would label us as crazy.

Our town experience reminded me in a small and light way of this verse:

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose."

Romans 8:28

That's redemption. If God can work three waiting rooms into a good time and plenty of hearty laughs, I certainly can trust Him to work the bigger, harder circumstances of life into something good. I wonder what redemption the Great Script Writer is working into my lines today?

He Will Rejoice Over You

"The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love."

Zephaniah 3:17

Last Leaves

These leaves, like the corn, are by now long gone, especially considering the sweeping effect of our many prairie winds. Still our giant cottonwood holds onto its glorious golden tresses.

Who Ate the Corn?

Our farmer-neighbors did it. The corn is gone around our home, and the open view is back!

Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Success

I baked a new recipe of gluten free chocolate chip cookies for Dad. They seem to be a hit! Even though these cookies are off limits for me, they were a great treat to make. Oh, the joy of baking!

 

(Recipe from Deliciously G-Free, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, 2012)

Sweet Yellow Watermelon

Vernon is known for his muskmelon growing skills. His son, Joel, is the watermelon expert. Somehow some of that watermelon skill passed up to the father. Vernon's yellow watermelon was the sweetest and most beautiful thing I have eaten in months!

Travel #2: Museum of Marine Art

We hope to visit the inside of the Museum of Marine Art, but until then we have enjoyed their rustic plantings.
 

 The serious photographer kept his shutter busy.

 

 And the amateur photographer did her best.

 

Where's Waldo, er, Maren?

Travel #1: Floating Cabins

I promised scenery from my recent trip to the doctor, so here is installment number one!

 

Floating cabins on the shores of the Mississippi. So quaint and cozy!

Frost on the Garden

 Frost is in the air! Dad, Mom and Maren are faithfully keeping the celery and parsley well insulated.

 

 There have been some casualties.

 

 But the kale stands strong.

 

Regardless of temperature we keep holding on to a bit of summer color. The planters get indoor night lodging until they wear out their welcome.

Apple Day

 There have been two weeks of silence. Perhaps I have felt the silence more than you. At least I felt the sickness. A trip to the doctor always does that. 1 week planning and packing + 12 hrs. driving = at least one week of flu-like sickness. Despite these side affects the scenery was delightful (more on that another day), the doctor was helpful, and we came home encouraged. It was well worth it!

 

Today I am back up and doing, lingering lymph draining massage and travel side affects included. It is a beautiful if somewhat brisk day outside. The robins like the weather, too... not to mention our apples. And so we braved the malice of the robins and picked our winter apples.

 

(Maybe I can make up for my silence with many pictures??)

 

Maren had the high job - picking from the tractor's bucket.

 

Dad was expert-tractor-mover.

 

Mom had the job of cleaning up ugly windfalls.

 

Hannah picked apples from standing and crouching positions.

 

All separated damaged apples from the beauties. Boxes and boxes! Hannah and I counted one hundred and fifteen apples in one medium sized box.

Oh yeah. I helped, too.

We left a couple apples on the tree as a peace offering for our bird friends.

 



At the end of the day, we loaded up the garage with hundreds of perfectly ripe Haralred apples. I'm dreaming of baked apples with honey!